GST Collections Jump 15.4% to ₹2.11 Lakh Crore in July 2026; Import Surge 29%

FAST-DS Launched: Disclose Undisclosed Foreign Income Up to Rs 1 Crore, Assets Up to Rs 5 Crore Till Dec 31, 2026

The Income Tax Department has launched the Foreign Assets of Small Taxpayers – Disclosure Scheme (FAST-DS), a one-time voluntary window from August 16 to December 31, 2026, for small taxpayers to disclose previously undeclared foreign income (up to Rs 1 crore) and assets (up to Rs 5 crore). This scheme offers immunity from prosecution under the Black Money Act, 2015, and is a critical opportunity for students, tech professionals, and relocated NRIs to regularize their foreign holdings.

NCGTC Confirms ECLGS 5.0 Guarantee Cover of ₹2.5 Lakh Crore on First-Come-First-Served Basis for MSMEs

NCGTC has informed banks that ECLGS 5.0 – a credit guarantee scheme for MSMEs and non-MSMEs affected by the West Asia war – will be implemented only until the ₹2.5 lakh crore guarantee cover is exhausted, on a first-come-first-served basis. Non-MSME loans have been stopped to prioritise MSMEs. This is a key development for banking and economy exams, highlighting the limited nature of the guarantee and the government's focus on MSME liquidity.

PMJDY: 15.36 Crore Accounts Inoperative, 5.72 Crore Have Zero Balance as per RTI

RTI data reveals that despite 59 crore PMJDY accounts, every fourth is inoperative and 5.72 crore have zero balance, signaling gaps in financial inclusion beyond account opening. UP leads in both zero-balance and inoperative accounts, highlighting regional disparities.

Rs 12.22 Lakh Crore Capex Target for 2026-27: Can Public Investment Crowd In Private Capex?

India's capex strategy is a key driver of growth, with effective capital expenditure reaching Rs 17.15 lakh crore for 2026-27. The article examines whether public investment can crowd in private investment, the need for quality over quantity, and the next frontiers like digital infrastructure, AI, and semiconductors.

Maharashtra Proposes DELTA Act for Land Tokenisation; Asset Base Estimated at ₹50 Lakh Crore

Maharashtra is set to become India's first 'tokenised State' by proposing the DELTA Act, which creates a legal framework to convert land ownership into blockchain-based digital tokens. This could unlock an estimated ₹50 lakh crore in state land value and set a template for national adoption of Real World Asset (RWA) tokenisation across gold, bonds, and carbon credits.

New UPI MDR: Flat Rs 5 Charge on Railway Bookings Above Rs 2,000 from Oct 15, 2026

From October 15, 2026, UPI payments above Rs 2,000 for railway tickets will attract a flat Rs 5 Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) instead of the general 0.4% fee. Crucially, this charge is on the merchant side and will not be passed to passengers. This special category concession makes railway ticketing cheaper to process than regular merchant payments.

Anti-Dumping Duty on Chinese TiO2: DGTR Final Findings (Aug 3, 2026) - Centre Assures KMML, TTPL

The Centre has assured Kerala of imposing anti-dumping duty on Chinese titanium dioxide following DGTR's final findings. This protects PSUs like KMML and TTPL from low-cost imports. Key for Prelims: DGTR process, anti-dumping mechanism, and dates.

MDR on UPI from Oct 15; Govt to Negotiate Subsidy Continuation with IBA

UPI MDR goes live on October 15, 2026, but collections won't cover operational costs. The Finance Ministry will negotiate with the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) to continue the government subsidy (₹2,000 crore budgeted) to keep UPI free for customers. Merchants (via CAIT) will be convinced not to pass MDR to consumers.